DSpace Collection:http://oaps.umac.mo/handle/10692.1/442017-09-08T00:39:46Z2017-09-08T00:39:46ZSelection Errors in Scale Development: A Monte Study of Factor AnalysisLAI, HOK CHIO (黎學昭)http://oaps.umac.mo/handle/10692.1/522014-11-14T02:39:24Z2014-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Selection Errors in Scale Development: A Monte Study of Factor Analysis
Authors: LAI, HOK CHIO (黎學昭)
Abstract: Previous research had devoted a lot to the practice of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Despite the large volume of reviews and simulations, little had been devoted to the decision of selecting and discarding items in scale development. The present research examined the impact of sample size, number of items, number of factors, ratio of strong indicators to weak indicators (i.e. items having strong / weak associations with the latent construct), and magnitude of weak loadings on the rates of occurrence of selection errors. A Monte Carlo simulation with a 6 × 3 × 2 × 3 × 3 design was conducted, and the real life practice of factor analysis in scale was examined. Results showed that when sample size was not large, the selection errors were not negligible, and selection errors also lead to reductions in population reliability. The utility of fit-indexes in identifying selection errors was also examined, with the model χ2 being relatively more informative. It was also found that a large sample confirmatory factor analysis did not compensate for the instability of a small sample exploratory factor analysis. Some suggestions regarding sample size and procedures in scale development were discussed, with a general urge for more conservative procedure and careful sample size planning.2014-01-01T00:00:00ZAn Exploration of the Perceptions of Family among Children in Single-Parent Families in MacaoLAM, WENG IAN (林穎欣)http://oaps.umac.mo/handle/10692.1/512014-11-07T08:03:11Z2010-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: An Exploration of the Perceptions of Family among Children in Single-Parent Families in Macao
Authors: LAM, WENG IAN (林穎欣)
Abstract: The divorce rate in Macao is increasing rapidly, and more children are experiencing the transition from intact family to single-parent family. While many studies have found this transition to be destructive to children’s psychological development, it is important for us to stand in their perspectives and understand more about how they feel. I have therefore carried out a qualitative study to explore the relationship patterns of children living in single-parent families in Macao. The participants were children aged from 9 to 12 years old, including one girl and four boys. I have used Collage Life story Elicitation Technique (CLET) as a tool to carry out my research. The collages show a distant relationship, and there is a tendency towards binary opposition within their close relationships. The research implies that some children, especially the boys are having poorer adjustment to the single-parent family situation. Therefore, psychologists can acknowledge the need of these children from the study and provide suitable help for these children.2010-01-01T00:00:00ZExperiences of Friendships among Middle-adulthood Men in MacaoTONG, TAT SENG (湯達成)http://oaps.umac.mo/handle/10692.1/502014-11-14T02:37:03Z2010-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Experiences of Friendships among Middle-adulthood Men in Macao
Authors: TONG, TAT SENG (湯達成)
Abstract: As men step into middle adulthood, they encounter a series of changes, including friendship. The purpose of this qualitative narrative research is to understand the role of friendship in their lives, the ways of maintaining friendship and their experiences of friendship for middle-aged men between 40 and 55 years old in Macao. Seven participants, selected by snowball sampling, collaborated to complete the convoy model of social support network and participated in a semi-structured interview to provide the textual data for this narrative inquiry in individual interviews. The narratives were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify main themes including the structure of friendship, characteristics of friendship, content of friendship, and maintenance of friendship. Findings show that middle-aged men perceive their friends as mutually supportive and important. They think that the number of friends became larger because of their work, and used collaboration to solve conflicts. Group activities are pursued to maintain their friendships.2010-01-01T00:00:00ZThe Effect of Initial Coping on Subsequent Coping, and the Role of NeuroticismMAK, HIO WA (麥曉華)http://oaps.umac.mo/handle/10692.1/492014-11-14T02:35:23Z2010-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: The Effect of Initial Coping on Subsequent Coping, and the Role of Neuroticism
Authors: MAK, HIO WA (麥曉華)
Abstract: This research studied how initial coping of stress affected subsequent expected coping strategies, and whether neuroticism moderated this effect. The mediating effects of subsequent expected coping strategies on initial coping and both negative affect and problem-solving self-efficacy were also explored. Ninety-three undergraduate students participated in the experiment. Participants read a scenario that elicited negative emotions and were instructed to use specific initial coping strategy, either cognitive writing (writing down their positive thoughts) or emotional writing (writing down their emotions), to cope with the negative event. They were then asked to report their subsequent expected coping strategies, and both their negative affect and problem-solving self-efficacy were assessed.
Results showed that the initial use of emotional writing, versus the initial use of cognitive writing, was related to the higher use of problem-focused coping as subsequent expected coping strategy, and the effect was especially seen in the high neuroticism group. However, neuroticism did not significantly moderate the relationship of emotional writing and subsequent expected coping strategies. In addition, problem focused coping as subsequent expected coping strategies mediate the effect of initial coping and problem-solving self-efficacy. Active coping, under the cluster of problem-focused coping was specifically found to mediate the relationship of initial coping and both negative affect and problem-solving self-efficacy. The implications of these findings were discussed.2010-01-01T00:00:00Z